It took a three song sample taped on a Maxell cassette to get me hooked on Shawn Colvin's FAT CITY. STEADY ON is terrific. COVER GIRL has some pleasant moment. But it's FAT CITY that remains Colvin's best. These eleven songs are cutting, emotional, strong, and consistent. The production is inspired. Colvin's vocals are majestic. The melody on the opening track is perfect; "Polaroids" is a collection of images and stories about life, matched with a flowing melody. "Tennessee" has a rocking melody and strong rock lyrics. Colvin covers Warren Zevon & Jackson Browne on "Tenderness On The Block", just as good as Linda Ronstadt did on some of their other songs in the 1970s. With a colorful, positive, spirited melody "Round Of Blues" has a folk feel in rock setting. It's pulled off flawlessly. The cutting,emotional lyrics of "Monopoly", reflect what an awesome songwriter Shawn Colvin is. "Orion In The Sky" is passionate, equally intriging to "Round Of Blues". I'd have to say that "Climb On" is the best song on the album, if I'm wrong, it's my favorite. She has perfectly fitting lyrics that compose a complete story within about four minutes. This is present on all the tracks. "Climb On" matches melody and lyrics flawlessly. "Set The Prarie On Fire" is the longest song on the album, there's a completely different atmosphere established on the song. Colvin's delivery is stunning. "Object Of My Affection" blends magnifiscent lyrics to a dazzling melody. One of the most addictive stories on FAT CITY is "Kill The Messenger", poetic and passionate, it's four minutes of magic. The closing song is remarkable. "I Don't Know Why" was one of the most beautiful songs of 1992, and is one of Colvin's best. It's also the first song she composed. FAT CITY is a listening that will take you through joy, pain, and wonder; and will provide one of the most satisfying listens I've heard in a while. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

... This is a wonderful album that strikes many emotional chords. "Monopoly" is a simple, heart-rending tale of lost love; "Set the Prairie on Fire" is one of the sexiest songs I've ever heard. I also love the complexity and mystery of "Kill the Messenger". Colvin's lyrics are so crisp: "Sometimes the beuaty of life Hits like lightning wahsing everything clear/And gthe dimmers of doubt flicker/Fade out and disappear." Hasn't everyone experienced those moments of clarity expressed so beautifully in Colvin's song? She articulates feelings the rest of us could never say so eloquently.

Fat City is a triumph.

While her later work, A Few Small Repairs, is responsible for catapulting her into the national spotlight, Fat City represents a far more fully-realized artistic vision and stands alone as *the* quintessential Shawn Colvin album.

Only in the most unjust of all possible worlds could this masterpiece have been passed over like it was.

The primary attributes that seperate Fat City from Colvin's earlier and later efforts are twofold: Emotional range and consistancy. Combined with the gorgeous vocals and powerful lyrics that all her work holds in common, Fat City is the flawless manifestation of Colvin's sublime essence.

Whatever mood you happen to be in, at least one of Fat City's tracks has you covered. From sweet to bittersweet and everything in between.

As for weak links, there are none. Not many albums can say as much.

If you liked A Few Small Repairs and are wondering where to go from there, look no further.

If you enjoy any of Shawn's other tunes at all, Fat City is a nothing less than a bona-fide sure thing. Buy it.

I got hooked on Shawn Colvin when a friend connected me with her first album, Steady On. I picked up her sophomore release, Fat City, when I saw it in a store having never heard a single song. I was thrilled to find that it was even better. "Fat City" is an overlooked gem and one of my all-time favorites. Her song "Climb On" turned up as the original theme song from the TV show Party of Five before they switched to the Bodean's "Closer to Free". It's a shame she didn't get the boost that the Bodean's got from that exposure. It amazed me that Shawn's music got much less attention than similar but not-quite-as-talented singer/songwriters such as Jewel. Shawn's later albums may be more well-known, but I think this is her best overall.

Well, a lot of other reviewers have said that this is Shawn's best album. While I do love this CD, I wouldn't agree 100%. The album starts off well, with tracks like "Polaroids," "Tenderness on the Block," and my own personal favorite, "Round of Blues." After that, though, the songs get more uneven. Every other song is good, but it's not a strong second half. She makes up for it by the end, though, with the wonderful "I Don't Know Why," a simply beautiful song which really showcases her great voice. So, while Fat City is an excellent album (and one I'd highly recommend), I still think Steady On is her best work.